I NOTE with dismay Government proposals to localise council tax benefit.

This is a deceitful act by the Tory-Lib Dem Government, which is handing over responsibility for the provision of council tax benefit with a sting in the tail.

These proposals would result in City of York Council being given £1m less than the current total costs of about £10m, a cut of ten per cent.

Some groups will be protected, which means we would face some difficult choices; make up the shortfall with cuts to other council services or reduce council tax benefit to those not protected by over 20 per cent.

It also appears this will have a disproportionate impact on a number of the constituents represented by councillors Jeffries, Williams and myself.

This is yet another cut the Government is attempting to hide as part of its ideological cuts programme, impacting most on those least able to defend themselves.

Steve Burton, Labour councillor for Westfield ward.